Expert Answer Forum
A Sin or Not? QUESTION from Walter Wildes Jr. November 20, 2000 I have a question that has been bothering me for some time now and would like to get an answer for. The question is if a person sins weather it be small or mortal (except murder) and you ask God to forgive your sins with a contrite heart and are truely repentive with whole heart, mind and soul And you wanted to recieve communion and did not have the chance to go to confession, but you intended too, is you sins forgiven and can you receive communion, knowing that you truely confessed to God all of your sins and are truly sorry. Knowing that God is all loveing and forgiveing and you asked him for forgiveness and you feel in your heart that your sins are forgiven would you say that your sins are forgiven. Evan if you did not confess them to a priest. Please give mean honest answer to this question .
God Bless Walter Wildes Jr
ANSWER by John-Paul Ignatius, O.L.S.M. on March 2, 2001 Dear Mr. Wildes:
No, you may not receive communion if you have committed a mortal sin until you have gone to confession. Repentance and contrition are not enough. Mortal sin MUST be absolved in the Sacrament of Confession BEFORE receiving communion.
If Sunday comes and you have mortal sin on your soul and you did not have a chance to get to confession, then you must go to Mass, but NOT receieve communion. Get to confession as soon as you can and only AFTER the Sacrament of Confession can you receive our Lord in the Eucharist.
Back to Index Page